Half of Tenerife is protected, ranging from national park, natural park or rural park status. It's also home to the highest mountain in Spain, El Teide, and the national park itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasting the number one spot for the most visited national park in the continent.
I was lucky enough to spend time in the national park, and as we wound our way up the roadside, we stopped off at viewpoints to see notable sights including Chinyero, with the backdrop of the magnificent and dominant Teide as a constant. I was in awe. The colours of the volcanic landscape in front of me were a stunning combination of blacks, greys, reds and oranges. The views were extraterrestrial. The textures of the lava were honeycomb-like in appearance and covered the surface, and it certainly contrasted to the shades of green that I'm more accustomed to in the UK.
Within Teide National Park, there are several walking trails that the intrepid hiker can explore. One of the days on our self-guided itinerary to Tenerife & La Gomera gives you the option to choose between a short circular walk at Roques de Garcia, or for those looking for an extended option, a cable car takes you to the peak of the volcano where you can complete a short walk at the summit. Here you can stop to admire the views and spot the neighbouring islands of Gran Canaria and La Gomera on a clear day before descending to the Parador, where you can choose to sample their delicious menu with views towards the volcano.
Hiking in Teide is ideal between September and November and March and June, however, the well-prepared hiker should have no issue walking at any time of year. I found waymarkers clear to follow, with yellow and white striped sticks jutting out of the ground and indicating you were on the right path.
One of the highlights of my trip was stargazing in Teide. I'm fascinated by the night sky, and having heard that Teide is one of the best places in the world for stargazing, I was eager for night to fall. As the skies turned an inky blue, the stars and planets started to emerge, and I began to see why it's such a hotspot.
On our Trails of Tenerife & La Gomera walking holiday, you spend three days in Tenerife, where in addition to Teide, you can walk from the village of Vilaflor through pine forests that reveal lunar-esque rock formations. You then take a short ferry transfer to nearby La Gomera, where more of Mother Nature's gems await.
Tenerife makes an ideal choice if you're looking for a destination with changing landscapes, unique viewpoints, endemic flora and fauna and little light pollution.
Speak to our team today to find out more about walking in Tenerife & La Gomera.
